Kusu Island in Singapore
#earthdayjourney
Legendary Singapore – Part 4: Kusu Island – Turtle Island and the Sea Wish
If you have ever passed Marina South Pier, looking far to the south, you will see a small, pretty island with a red-roofed shrine – which is Kusu Island.
Kusu – in Chinese means “Turtle Island”. But the story associated with this island does not include turtles.
⸻
1. Ancient legend: Turtle incarnates to save people
According to legend, long ago, there were two men – one Chinese, one Malay, who were in trouble at sea. Their sailboat was in the middle of a storm. Both of them imagined that they would not survive… then a sea turtle appeared.
The turtle carried both of them onto its shell, then flew towards a small rock in the middle of the sea – which later became Kusu Island.
To show their gratitude, the two men erected the Tua Pek Kong (Earth God) angel and three kings on the top of the hill to worship Malay kramat (Muslim saint).
And since then, this place has become a sacred tutelary god - a symbol of Chinese - Malay cultural harmony.
⸻
2. Kusu opens his heart only once a year
In the ninth lunar month, thousands of people come to the island to pray for peace, love, children or peace for their families.
The Chinese go to Tua Pek Kong.
The Malays walk up 152 stone steps to the kramat on the top of the hill, which is considered extremely sacred.
What's special?
No one asks for a number. No Rich Ai.
People come here just to... be grateful and pray for enough conditions.
⸻
3. The turtles are still there - but they can no longer speak
Under the skirt is a turtle pond - where visitors can freely feed the small turtles, as a way to "dedicate merit and virtue".
The locals say:
"If you release a turtle and it becomes successful, it will swim around and turn around to look at you."
Many people have dreamed of a white turtle, who did not speak but guided them in the right direction – and then woke up in a daze, as if about to give up hope.
⸻
4. The island is enough – no need for more
Kusu is not big. There are no sulky tourist areas. No resorts.
There is only a temple, a few altars, trees and sandstones.
But strangely enough – people come, and when they leave, they all feel lighter, as if they have endured nothing in the middle of the sea.